La Jolla Recreation Center

Ellen Browning Scripps wanted to make the children happy by providing them a place that they could look upon as their own, where they could romp and play in the fresh air. And so the La Jolla Playground, as it was then known, was one of her early benefactions, first opening to the public in the summer of 1915.

Designed in a modified California mission style by Irving and Louis Gill, the building holds significant value to architectural historians. The playground itself is claimed as the first public playground of its kind and a model for many others.

Since its Fourth of July grand opening celebration seventy-two years ago, the grounds have been used continuously by young and old alike. Here, La Jolla residents have enjoyed weekly dances, festivals, parades, contests and traditional Christmas celebrations. The center's tennis courts, still in continuous use by racket wielders, were the first site of the La Jolla Tennis Championships. Today, sports, year-round spontaneous activities, classes and all sorts of games are available to La Jolla residents of all ages just as its benevolent benefactress envisioned.

Because she steadfastly refused to accept public testimonials, it was difficult for people to show Miss Scripps their appreciation for her many philanthropies. A simple bronze fountain of a child scooping water for the birds to drink was sculpted by James Porter and dedicated in tribute to Ellen Browning Scripps in 1926. Every school child in La Jolla was asked to contribute a penny toward this tasteful memorial.